LAS VEGAS — Licensing International today announced the winners of the 2026 Licensing International Excellence Awards, celebrating the companies, collaborations, and brand extensions setting the standard for excellence across the global brand licensing industry. The ceremony took place just ahead of Licensing Expo, the industry’s largest global event dedicated to licensing and brand extension, which runs May 19–21 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The Excellence Awards honor the professionals that made powerful connections with consumers and transformed intellectual property into compelling products, services, and experiences. The awards also reflect the evolving industry, recognizing visionary retailers that bring brands to life through standout merchandising and consumer engagement.

Presented by sponsors Alifish and Flowhaven, this year’s winners were selected from 223 finalists across 35 categories. More than 800 submissions were reviewed by a global judging panel that included 300 judges from 20 countries.

Returning for its third year, the Members’ Choice Award invited Licensing International members to vote for a collaboration in any category that extended a brand in an unexpected and innovative manner.

“The winners of this year’s Excellence Awards reflect the depth, creativity, and significant business impact of the global licensing community,” said Maura Regan, President of Licensing International. “Across categories and markets, these honorees demonstrate how strong partnerships and thoughtful brand extensions build meaningful connections with consumers while driving sustained growth for the industry. We’re proud to celebrate their achievements and the work they are doing to shape the future of licensing.”

The 2026 Licensing International Excellence Awards winners are:

Best Animated Brand

Bluey – BBC Studios, Ludo Studios

Best Art, Design, or Museum Brand

New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) (Jewel Branding & Licensing)

Best Corporate Brand

Kodak – Kodak Ltd

Best Fashion or Lifestyle Brand

Laura Ashley – Marquee Brands

Best Food, Beverage, or Restaurant Brand

7-Eleven (The Brand Liaison)

Best Interactive or Digital Brand

Tetris

Best Live Action Brand

The White Lotus – Warner Bros Discovery

Best Music Artist or Celebrity Brand

Dolly Parton – Speckled Bird Productions (IMG)

Best Publishing, Stationery, or Social Expression Brand

Moomin – Moomin Characters Ltd (Rights & Brands)

Best Sports, eSports, or Collegiate Brand

NASCAR

Best Toy Brand

The Monsters – POP MART

Best Apparel, Accessories, or Footwear Product for Corporate Brands

Converse – Coca-Cola Chuck Taylor Allstars

Best Apparel, Accessories, or Footwear Product for Entertainment Brands

Casio Computer Co. – Stranger Things Watch

Best Appliance, Automotive, or Electronic Product for Corporate Brands

RETO Production Ltd. – KODAK Charmera Keychain Digital Camera

Best Appliance, Automotive, or Electronic Product for Entertainment Brands

CASETiFY x Sanrio Characters Collection (Alifish)

Best Food or Beverage Product for Corporate Brands

Absolut Vodka – Tabasco (IMG)

Best Food or Beverage Product for Entertainment Brands

Danone – Actimel Minecraft Yogurts (CAA Brand Management)

Best Health & Beauty Product for Corporate Brands

Sephora – Tabasco Outrageous Plump Lip Gloss (IMG)

Best Health & Beauty Product for Entertainment Brands

Ordo – Wicked: For Good Electric Toothbrush

Best Home Décor or Homeware Product for Corporate Brands

Delta Children – babyGAP Nursery Furniture, Baby Gear & Soft Good Accessories (IMG)

Best Home Décor or Homeware Product for Entertainment Brands

Le Creuset Group AG – Wicked: For Good Signature Round Dutch Oven

Best Interactive or Digital Product

Tonies – Gabby’s Cat-tastic Scavenger Hunt

Best Publishing, Social Expression, or Back-to-School Product

Penguin Random House – KPop Demon Hunters: For the Fans! Little Golden Book

Best Toys, Games, Novelties, or Role Play (ages 0-8) Product
Spin Master – Gabby’s Dollhouse: Meowmazing Dollhouse

Best Toys, Games, Novelties, or Role Play (ages 8+) Product

LEGO – Star Wars Death Star

Best Accessories or Footwear Collaboration

Vans x KPop Demon Hunters

Best Advertising Campaign Featuring a Licensed Brand

It’s Kahlunkin’ (Brandgenuity, Wieden+Kennedy London)

Best Apparel Collaboration

Star Wars x Columbia

Best Experiential or Location-Based Initiative

The Wizard of Oz at Sphere

Best Hardlines or Packaged Goods Collaboration

The LEGO Group x Van Gogh Museum

Best Licensed Promotion

Peanuts Starbucks Promotion

Best Retailer for Corporate, Lifestyle, Fashion, or Sports Brands

Pull & Bear – Toyota Motor Corporation (Joester Loria Group)

Best Retailer for Entertainment Brands

Spirit Halloween – KPop Demon Hunters

Best Sustainability Initiative

Volvo Cars + Plaza Sésamo – Responsible Mobility Campaign

Members Choice

alice + olivia x Ford (CAA Brand Management)

About Licensing International
Licensing International is the leading trade organization for the $369+ billion global brand licensing industry. Licensing International’s mission is to foster the growth of brand licensing around the world, raise the level of professionalism for licensing practitioners, and create greater awareness of the benefits of licensing to the business community at large. Founded in 1985, Licensing International member companies in over 40 countries enjoy access to an array of benefits, including extensive educational programming and worldwide networking events.

About Licensing Expo
Launched in 1980, Licensing Expo is the world’s largest and most influential annual tradeshow dedicated to licensing and brand extension. Every year, more than 5,000 brands and 12,000 retailers, licensees, manufacturers, distributors, and licensing agents attend Licensing Expo from more than 70 countries. Licensing Expo is a part of the Global Licensing Group at Informa Markets, the licensing industry’s leading tradeshow organizer and media partner. Its mission is to provide licensing opportunities around the world by bringing brands and products together.